Yuma Yirramboi Council

The Yuma Yirramboi Council provides independent advice to government. The council helped develop the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy.

The council includes First Peoples experts (the Koori Caucus) and executives from the department. They consider and agree on opportunities and issues affecting prosperity for First Peoples in Victoria.

The council is co-chaired by the Secretary of the department and the Chair of the Koori Caucus.

Koori Caucus

Jason Mifsud (Chair)

Jason Mifsud is a proud and active member of the Kirrae, Peek and Tjab Whurrong people of the Gunditjmara nation in south-west Victoria.

Jason is passionate in creating opportunities for future generations to build their skills and capabilities to secure their own financial future.

Jason’s hope and dream is that First Peoples in Victoria, today and in the future can seize job, career and business opportunities without facing the barriers of previous generations.

Dr Ash Francisco (Deputy Chair)

Dr Ash Francisco is a proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up in Naarm and now lives in Taungurung Country near Euroa, Victoria.

Ash is keen for legislative change that galvanises a powerful First Peoples economic position not just for now, but for future generations. This includes ensuring that Victoria’s First Peoples business community is prepared for and are at the forefront of the state’s economic future.

Paul Paton

Paul Paton is from the Gunai and Monaro-Ngarigo Nations of South-Eastern Australia. From a very young age, his family instilled a passion and dedication in him about the preservation, continuation and promotion of their cultures.

Paul’s aspirations for his tenure on the Yuma Yirramboi Council are that the council can draw on the collective wisdom of each member to fully implement the strategy that carries the rights and aspirations of First Peoples businesses in Victoria to secure their economic future.

Ian Hamm

Ian Hamm is a proud Yorta Yorta man who has extensive government and community sector experience. He has spearheaded significant policy and strategic reforms.

Ian’s expertise lies in managing diverse relationships and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. Ian has served as CEO of a prominent Aboriginal community organisation and chair of multiple boards.

Ian is dedicated to enhancing First Peoples representation in high-level governance through strategic action, advocacy and mentoring. He envisions First Peoples people taking part in decision-making processes within organisations, ensuring their involvement in shaping the Australian economy.

Rod Jackson

Rod Jackson is a proud Palawa and Cherboug man. His passion is to maximise the potential of businesses owned by First Peoples.

Rod constantly seeks out new opportunities for business growth. He sees education playing a pivotal role in fostering First Peoples employment and business development.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller is a proud Yuin man from the First Peoples of the South Coast in New South Wales. He previously served as the CEO of Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) in Gippsland.

Daniel has a strong passion for cultural tourism and renewable energy, with a particular emphasis on enhancing economic prosperity for Traditional Owners in Victoria. He believes that economic progress, security and prosperity is one of the key pillars of a truly self-determining future.

Paul Stewart

Paul Stewart is a proud Taungurung man. He is CEO of the Lowitja Institute.

Paul has over 20 years of leadership experience across diverse fields, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, sports, government and education on both local and international levels. He believes in the strength of collective leadership to drive meaningful, long-term change for our communities.

Kaley Nicholson

Kaley Nicholson is a First Nations woman with family line connections to the Taungurung, Barapa Barapa, Bunurong/Boonwurrung, Latji Latji, Mutthi Mutthi, Wamba Wemba, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta peoples.

She is CEO of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations, chair of the Taungurung Land and Waters Council and co-chair for Ngaweeyan Maar-oo.

Kaley has worked across Traditional Owner governance, First Peoples economic development and employment pathways, including as CEO and Managing Director of Yilam.

Kaley says her work is grounded in community and guided by the voices and teachings of Elders.

Karinda Taylor

Karinda Taylor is a Wamba Wamba woman from the northwest of Victoria. She is CEO of First Peoples' Health and Wellbeing.

Karinda has more than 20 years of experience in Aboriginal health, community development and leadership across Victoria.

Her career has been dedicated to improving outcomes for First Peoples through strategic leadership, policy development and community-centred approaches.

Need more information?

For more information on the Yuma Yirramboi Council, contact yycsecretariat@ecodev.vic.gov.au.